Jeremiah 31:16

KJV

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Refrain {H4513} thy voice {H6963} from weeping {H1065}, and thine eyes {H5869} from tears {H1832}: for thy work {H6468} shall be {H3426} rewarded {H7939}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; and they shall come again {H7725} from the land {H776} of the enemy {H341}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is what ADONAI says: "Stop your weeping, and dry your eyes, for your work will be rewarded," says ADONAI. "They will return from the enemy's land;

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for the reward for your work will come, declares the LORD. Then your children will return from the land of the enemy.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith Jehovah; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 31:16 presents a powerful divine oracle of comfort and assured restoration to a grieving Israel. Following the poignant depiction of Rachel's inconsolable lament for her exiled children, the LORD issues an authoritative command to cease weeping, promising that their suffering and patient endurance will not be in vain but will be abundantly rewarded. This declaration culminates in the concrete assurance of the physical return of the captives from the land of their enemy, transforming deep despair into a firm and certain hope for reunion and renewed life in their ancestral homeland.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 31:16 is situated within the "Book of Comfort" ([Jeremiah 30-33](/jeremiah/30 "Jeremiah 30-33 - The Book of Comfort")), a section of Jeremiah's prophecy dedicated to promises of future restoration for Israel and Judah after the devastation of exile. This verse immediately follows the deeply emotive imagery of [Jeremiah 31:15](/jeremiah/31-15 "Jeremiah 31:15 - Rachel Weeping for Her Children"), where Rachel, the matriarch, is portrayed weeping bitterly for her children, symbolizing the deported northern tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) and, by extension, all of Israel in exile. Jeremiah 31:16 marks a pivotal shift from lament to divine consolation, serving as the LORD's direct, compassionate, and authoritative response to the nation's profound agony. It sets the stage for the glorious prophecies of the new covenant and the ultimate return and spiritual renewal of God's people, moving the narrative from despair to the certainty of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah 31:16 is the traumatic period of the Babylonian exile, which commenced with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC and the subsequent deportation of the Judean population. This catastrophe followed the earlier exile of the northern kingdom by Assyria. The people of Israel, dispossessed and displaced, found themselves far from their homeland, stripped of their national identity, religious center, and familial connections. Their widespread weeping was a visceral expression of national trauma and personal grief—a lament for lost generations, a desolate land, and shattered covenant promises. The "land of the enemy" unequivocally refers to Babylon, the imperial power that had conquered and enslaved them. In the ancient Near East, conquered peoples rarely returned to their ancestral lands, making the divine promise of return in Jeremiah 31:16 a radical, counter-cultural message that defied historical precedent and offered a supernatural hope.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is profoundly rich with theological and narrative themes. It powerfully articulates **Divine Comfort and Consolation**, as the LORD directly intervenes to command an end to weeping, not out of indifference, but from a deep, active compassion that promises a future where tears are no longer necessary. Central to the verse is the theme of **Hope in Restoration**, specifically the physical return of the exiles from Babylon, a historical event later detailed in books like [Ezra](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - The Return from Exile") and [Nehemiah](/nehemiah/1 "Nehemiah 1 - Nehemiah's Prayer and the Return to Jerusalem"). Beyond the physical, it hints at a broader spiritual restoration, where God brings His people back into right relationship with Himself, echoing the promises of the new covenant in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). The phrase "thy work shall be rewarded" introduces the theme of **Divine Justice and Recompense**, suggesting that the suffering and patient endurance of the people are not in vain but are acknowledged by God, who will bring about a positive outcome. Finally, the entire verse underscores **God's Unwavering Faithfulness and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that despite the dire circumstances of exile, the LORD's covenant promises stand firm, and He possesses the power to execute His will, bringing about redemption even from the most desperate situations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Refrain (Hebrew, _mânaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury; deny, keep (back), restrain, withhold." In Jeremiah 31:16, it functions as a strong divine imperative, a direct command from the LORD to Rachel (and by extension, Israel) to cease her lamentation. It is not a gentle suggestion but an authoritative declaration that the period of inconsolable mourning is to end, because God is actively intervening to change their circumstances.
* **work (Hebrew, _pᵉʻullâh'_):** This feminine passive participle means "(abstractly) work; labour, reward, wages." Here, it refers to the consequence or outcome of their suffering, their endurance, and the painful experiences of exile. It implies that their tears, anguish, and the hardship endured are not wasted or without purpose in God's eyes. Instead, they are seen as a form of "labor" or an endured state that will yield a positive "reward" or outcome, signifying God's acknowledgment of their affliction and His intention to bring recompense.
* **come again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root means "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again." In the context of Jeremiah 31:16, it carries the explicit promise of the physical return of the exiles from the land of their captivity. This signifies a complete reversal of their fortunes, a restoration to their homeland, and the re-establishment of their community, embodying the divine promise of reversal and renewal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears:"** This opening clause functions as a powerful divine oracle, signaling an authoritative pronouncement directly from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The command to "refrain" from weeping and tears is a direct, imperative address to the deep lamentation and sorrow of the exiled people, personified by Rachel. It signifies that God is not indifferent to their pain but actively intervenes to bring their sorrow to an end, initiating a shift from mourning to hope.
* **"for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD;"** This clause provides the divine rationale and assurance for the command to cease weeping. The "work" refers to the collective suffering, the patient endurance of exile, and the profound experiences of loss and hardship that the people have undergone. The promise that it "shall be rewarded" indicates that their affliction is not in vain; God will acknowledge their pain and bring about a just and beneficial outcome, transforming their sorrow into future joy and recompense. The repetition of "saith the LORD" powerfully reinforces the certainty, divine origin, and immutable nature of this promise.
* **"and they shall come again from the land of the enemy."** This final clause specifies the concrete nature of the promised reward and restoration: the physical return of the exiles. "They" refers to the children of Israel, who were carried away into captivity. "The land of the enemy" unequivocally points to Babylon, the oppressive power that held them captive. This is the tangible, historical promise that grounds the preceding command and assurance, offering a clear vision of future deliverance, national restoration, and reunion in their homeland.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 31:16 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of comfort and hope. **Personification** is carried over from the preceding verse ([Jeremiah 31:15](/jeremiah/31-15 "Jeremiah 31:15 - Rachel Weeping for Her Children")) where Rachel embodies the collective sorrow of Israel, and in this verse, she becomes the direct recipient of God's comforting command. **Metonymy** is evident in the phrases "thy voice from weeping" and "thine eyes from tears," where "voice" and "eyes" stand for the entire person and their outward expressions of profound grief, emphasizing the totality of their lamentation. The verse functions as a powerful **Divine Oracle** or **Prophetic Utterance**, underscored by the repeated and authoritative formula "Thus saith the LORD" and "saith the LORD," which lends absolute certainty and divine authority to the message. There is also a clear instance of **Parallelism** in the command "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears," which intensifies and reiterates the call to cease lamentation through synonymous phrasing. Finally, the "land of the enemy" serves as potent **Symbolism** for the oppressive power of exile, the spiritual alienation from God's promised land, and any place of captivity or despair.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 31:16 stands as a profound testament to God's deep compassion and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It demonstrates that divine comfort is not merely an emotional solace but an active, sovereign intervention that promises a tangible reversal of fortunes. The promise of "reward" for their "work" in suffering points to a crucial theological principle where God acknowledges and redeems hardship, ensuring that no pain endured in His will is without purpose or future recompense. This verse foreshadows the ultimate hope of a new creation where all sorrow is banished, rooted in God's faithfulness to restore what was lost and to bring His people into a state of perfected peace and joy, a vision that extends far beyond the physical return from Babylon.

* [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear") - God's ultimate act of wiping away every tear, fulfilling the promise of an end to sorrow in the new heavens and new earth.
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good") - The assurance that God works all things, including suffering and hardship, for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
* [Psalm 126:5-6](/psalms/126-5-6 "Psalm 126:5-6 - Sowing in Tears, Reaping in Joy") - The promise that those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy, echoing the theme of reward and transformation of sorrow into triumph.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 31:16 offers profound spiritual nourishment for anyone navigating seasons of deep grief, loss, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that our tears are seen by a compassionate God who does not dismiss our pain but actively intervenes to bring about comfort and restoration. In moments when our "voice" is consumed by "weeping" and our "eyes" by "tears," this divine command serves as an anchor, assuring us that our suffering is not the final chapter. Our "work"—the endurance, the quiet perseverance through hardship, the very act of surviving loss, and clinging to faith—is acknowledged and will be "rewarded" by God's faithful hand. Just as the exiles were promised a return from the "land of the enemy," we are encouraged to trust that God is capable of restoring what feels irrevocably lost in our lives, whether it be relationships, health, hope, spiritual vitality, or a sense of purpose. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the immediate pain to the certain promise of God's ultimate redemption, fostering a resilient hope that transcends present circumstances and empowers us to believe in a future where joy replaces sorrow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to "refrain thy voice from weeping" challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances of sorrow or loss, and what does it invite you to do?**
* **In what ways might your current "work" or endurance through hardship be seen as something God will "reward," and what does that "reward" look like in your life, both now and in eternity?**
* **What "land of the enemy" (a place of captivity, struggle, despair, or spiritual bondage) are you hoping to "come again" from, and how does this verse encourage your faith in God's ability to bring about that deliverance and restoration?**

### FAQ
**Who is Rachel and why is she weeping in this context?**

Answer: Rachel is one of the revered matriarchs of Israel, the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. In [Jeremiah 31:15](/jeremiah/31-15 "Jeremiah 31:15 - Rachel Weeping for Her Children"), she is personified as weeping inconsolably for her children, specifically symbolizing the northern tribes of Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh, her descendants through Joseph) who were carried away into exile by the Assyrians. Her weeping represents the profound, collective grief of the entire nation of Israel over the loss of their people, their land, and their national identity due to foreign conquest and deportation. It encapsulates the deep sorrow of a mother mourning for her lost offspring, extending to the entire nation's lament for its exiled generations.

**What does "thy work shall be rewarded" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "thy work shall be rewarded" signifies that the suffering, endurance, and painful experiences of the exiled Israelites are not in vain in God's eyes. The Hebrew word for "work" (_pᵉʻullâh_) refers to their labor, their actions, or the consequences of their affliction. God is acknowledging their deep pain and promising that He will bring about a just and beneficial outcome in response to it. The "reward" (_sâkâr_) here is not necessarily for merit, but a divine recompense and restoration, indicating that their sorrow will be transformed into joy and their loss into reunion. It speaks to God's faithfulness to redeem even the most difficult circumstances, ensuring that their faithfulness through hardship will be met with divine blessing and a reversal of their fortunes, as seen in principles like [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good").

**How does Jeremiah 31:16 offer hope for those experiencing loss or despair today?**

Answer: Jeremiah 31:16 offers profound hope by demonstrating God's active compassion and power to reverse seemingly hopeless situations. It assures us that God sees our tears and hears our laments, and He commands an end to our sorrow because He has a plan for restoration. Just as He promised the physical return of exiles from Babylon, He promises to bring healing, renewal, and reunion from our own "lands of the enemy"—whether they be places of grief, addiction, brokenness, spiritual bondage, or despair. It encourages us to trust in God's ultimate faithfulness, knowing that our suffering is acknowledged and that He will bring about a future where tears are wiped away, as envisioned in the ultimate fulfillment of this promise in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear"). This verse empowers us to look beyond immediate pain to God's certain promise of redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 31:16, with its promise of an end to weeping, a reward for suffering, and a return from the land of the enemy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The tears of Rachel, symbolizing Israel's lament over exile and loss, are ultimately addressed by the coming of the Messiah, who is the true Comforter and Consoler. Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), identifying deeply with the sorrow of humanity and the brokenness of His people. His "work" on the cross, His suffering and sacrificial death, became the ultimate "reward" for our sin, securing not merely a physical return to a land, but spiritual liberation from the "land of the enemy" that is sin, death, and the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). Through His resurrection, Christ conquered the ultimate enemy, death, guaranteeing the "coming again" not just of a nation, but of all who believe in Him, into eternal life and an unbreakable communion with God ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The new covenant, also prophesied in [Jeremiah 31](/jeremiah/31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant"), is established in Christ's blood, promising a spiritual restoration where God's law is written on hearts, and His people are truly brought back to Him, never to be separated again ([Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8-12 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the tears of the redeemed are ultimately wiped away by the Lamb of God in the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, because the former things have passed away ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ruth 2:12

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Jeremiah 30:3

For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

2 Chronicles 15:7

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Hebrews 6:10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Mark 5:38

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Mark 5:39

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.